Removing Smoke Smell

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Removing Smoke Smell?

I just purchased a used car, and the previous owner was a smoker. The car positively smells of stale cigarette smoke. Spraying air freshener provides only about 45 seconds of relief. What can I do to remove the smoke odor?Simone of Washington, DC

Vanilla Works

Use vanilla extract. Put a large amount on a piece of rag and throw it under the car seat. It will draw the odor into the rag. When it starts smelling again, use more vanilla. It works!Debbie

Fabreeze is Fabulous

I went through the same thing when my daughter borrowed my car for a week. I could not get the odor out until a lady at the car wash told me to get Fabreeze. I sprayed it on seats, upper liner, floorboards, etc. and it really worked.Linda

Try Vinegar!

I suggest placing a bowl of vinegar in the car overnight, possibly for several nights. Once the smell is gone, I recommend putting a dryer sheet under both front seats for additional deodorizing.

My parents also stored a box of apples in their car that was purchased from a smoker one week, as the garage was colder. Not only did the smoke smell disappear, but the car smelled wonderfully of apples!Lori from Ohio

It's Not Just For Breakfast

I remember someone saying that coffee grounds will absorb the smoke smell. (Just make sure not to get them wet.) Let it sit over night or as long as you can and then vacuum it out. Hope that helps!Mi Mi

A Real Nok-Out

You might try Nok-Out. It converts odors by oxidation to a substance that has no odor. nokout.com

Using a clean air-intake filter of your air conditioning system, dampen the entire surface of the filter with NOK-OUT. Replace filter as usual. Repeat daily for one week.

With the engine running, spray NOK-OUT into the ventilation system (at the base of the windshield). Turn the air circulation on high with all windows closed, run for a full 5 minutes. Open windows and continue running the fan for 5 minutes.Holly

Cinnamon Delight

I'm not sure if this will help, but I've been enjoying it myself for several weeks.

Mix together the cheapest apple sauce and cheapest cinnamon that you can find. Mix them together until you have a really thick glob (like really thick bread dough). It will take about 1/2 cup apple sauce and 1/4 cup cinnamon. Roll it around to mix. Put it in an old small margarine tub. Punch a few holes in the top with a pen, then stick it under the seat in your car.

This is the same recipe used to make cinnamon Christmas ornaments. I took some of the stuff with me in the car and rolled it under a seat. When the heat kicks in, or the car has been sitting in the sun, the whole car has a great cozy cinnamon smell to it.Sues

Charcoal is the Answer

Try leaving an open bag of charcoal in the car overnight with all the windows up, of course. It might take several attempts to remove all of the lingering smell.Spence

Baking Soda Works Well

Sprinkle baking soda on the car seats and carpet. Let this sit a couple of days if possible. Meanwhile, be sure to sit on a sheet while driving. Vacuum thoroughly.

If the smell remains, keep a couple of the spillproof boxes of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda on the floor of the car out of the way so they don't get trampled. Also put a new dryer sheet under the car seat to cover the smell.C.

OdoBan Will Do the Job

Go to Sam's Club and buy some OdoBan and follow the directions. You may have to do it a couple of times, but it does work.Paul

Absolutely Try Ammonia

Put a glass half full of ammonia or Windex in the car each night for about a week. It should suck the order from the carpet and seats.Jenn in Shelton, WA

Homemade Solutions

I've always been told that placing an unused dryer sheet under the bucket seats is a good alternative to the 'Piney Tree'. Another thought would be to do a frugal detailing job. A vinegar rinse for anything without cloth, and a carpet sprinkle for the upholstery and carpets.Jessica of Snow Camp, NC

Cat Liter Surprise

Wash the carpeting with carpet cleaner, wipe down the entire interior with cleaner like Armor All and then get cat liter. Put the cat litter (about 1 or 2 cups) in a pie pan and leave it there for about a week. Change the litter and go another week. This should take care of the odor.Brian

Apple to Keep the Odor Away

Try placing a cut up apple in a cup to get rid of the odor. Let the apple sit in the car until it starts to shrivel.Rebekka

"The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation. This article may contain affiliate links. If you click on one of the affiliate links, The Dollar Stretcher could be compensated.